2025+RI+Y6+GP+Prelims+P1-with suggested points

Raffles Institution 2025 Year 6 Preliminary Examination General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 1 GENERAL PAPER Paper 1 Additional Materials: Answer Booklet 8881/01 1 September 2025 1 hour 30 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, CT group, and GP tutor’s name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black ink on both sides of the paper. Do not use paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Answer one question. Note that up to 20 marks out of 50 will be awarded for your use of language. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. All questions in this paper carry equal marks. This document consists of 2 printed pages.

2 Answer one question. Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length. 1 Evaluate the effectiveness of government efforts to enhance people’s quality of life in your society. 2 Is foreign aid ultimately more damaging than beneficial to the countries it aims to support? 3 Should the value of a person’s work be measured solely by monetary compensation? 4 ‘It is never justifiable to disregard ethical concerns for the sake of scientific or technological progress.’ Discuss. 5 ‘There is a decline in the appreciation of traditional art forms today.’ How far is this true in your society? 6 To what extent does the media today undermine rather than support democracy? 7 ‘Developed nations should shoulder a greater burden in addressing climate change.’ To what extent do you agree? 8 Is it right for a leader to place national interests above global responsibilities?

Raffles Institution 2025 Y6 General Paper Preliminary Examination P1 Band Descriptors and Suggested Points 1 1. Evaluate the effectiveness of government efforts to enhance the people’s quality of life in your society. Terms and Scope • ‘quality of life’ : refer to the holistic wellbeing of Singaporeans in terms of the meeting of emotional & psychological needs, rather than material or economic wellbeing. It should be more focused around the matrix of “happiness” such as quality of livin g environments, access to recreation, or relationships. While it is the case that a high standard of living can support a good quality of life, they should not be conflated. People in high paying jobs may enjoy a high standard of living, but have low quality of life if they are stressed, unhealthy, or lack access to meaningful relationships. A consideration of different demographics and their specific life needs in the context of Singapore would also allow for greater scope. • ‘government efforts (to enhance)’: refers to types of current government efforts or measures that have been taken to increase quality of life (laws, policies, initiatives) • ‘effectiveness’: can be determined by whether the measures have achieved their intended outcome, and if there are any significant trade-offs or unintended consequences. The (long- term) sustainability and overall scale of impact of such measures can also be considered. Band 4 & above Band 3 • Addresses issue of ‘effectiveness’ in improving QOL • Incorporates Singaporean context/ characteristics in determining the effectiveness of such measures. • Lists the general benefits and drawbacks of current government measures to address quality of life in Singapore. • Listing of various government efforts to improve Singaporeans’ quality of life Low Band 3 • Deals solely with matters related to standard of living Measures have been highly effective: 1. The social challenges that Singapore faces as a developed society have motivated the government to devote more resources to comprehensively provide services to enhance people’s overall being, including creating social safety nets for the more vulnerable communities, with the intention to minimise the cost that such problems will otherwise create, which will in turn require the government or society as a whole to bear. For example, an increasing focus on affordable and quality healthcare has enhanced citizens’ overall well-being. Singapore’s healthcare model balances individual responsibility with government support. By expanding subsidies and promoting preventive health strategies, the state reduces the burden of hospitalisation while empowering citizens to manage chronic conditions early. This has lowered long -term healthcare costs, especially for lower income individuals and ageing Singaporeans. o The government’s expansion of CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) subsidies in 2019 has allowed more middle-income Singaporeans to access primary healthcare at lower costs, making care more inclusive. Over the last decade, the introduction of the Pioneer Generation Package, followed by the Merdeka and Majulah Packages support the different age groups of the older Singaporeans, specifically in the area of healthcare, which they can access at a highly affordable rate. o The introduction of the Healthier SG initiative in 2023, which provides free health screenings and personalised care plans for citizens, reflects a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Active ageing centres also fall under the same category of proactive management of mental health issues associated with age, and

Raffles Institution 2025 Y6 General Paper Preliminary Examination P1 Band Descriptors and Suggested Points 2 the announcement of Age Well Neighbourhoods indicates the government’s long-term focus on integrating and optimising the provision of elderly -centred services to Singapore’s steadily ageing population. 2. Recognising the potential repercussions of an increasing level of stress faced by Singaporeans in a fast-paced society, the government has introduced initiatives to help Singaporeans cope with the various challenges which affect their overall well -being, many of which deal with sensitive issues related to mental health, reduce burnout, and flexible work arrangements. These measures reflect a timely shift towards holistic well -being beyond physical well-being. o The launch of the National Mental Health and Well -being Strategy (2023) expanded community mental health services and school-based programmes, signalling stronger national commitment to tackling mental health challenges. o The Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (announced 2024, effective 2025) require employers to fairly consider staff requests for hybrid or flexible work, supporting better work-life balance and reducing stress from rigid work schedules. Measures are not really successful: o The insufficient provisions to combat rising costs of living means that higher levels of financial stress persist, which in turn directly limits Singaporeans’ ability to enjoy the benefits of government initiatives to enhance the quality of life. o While government schemes like GST and CDC vouchers offer short -term relief, they do not address structural issues such as wage stagnation relative to inflation. The GST hike, combined with rising transport, food, and utility costs, has left many citizens feeling that government support merely offsets —but does not solve —financial pressures. Furthermore, although subsidies and BTO supply have increased, demand still far exceeds supply. Long waiting times and soaring resale flat prices suggest that government measures address symptoms but not the root causes of housing affordability, such as land scarcity and speculative demand. BTO waiting times of 4-5 years continue to delay home ownership, causing stress for young couples planning marriage or starting a family. 2. The government’s excessive emphasis on economic well -being exacerbates the workplace culture in Singapore, which tends to prioritise productivity and long working hours, at the expense of other aspects of well-being. o Social stigm